Oil Rig Jobs - What Are They and How to Get One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

Oil rig jobs include semi-skilled workers who operate on the rig deck, specialists who work on machinery for drilling, and drillers and assistants who handle the controls of the drill in a control room. On offshore rigs, crews may include medics, mechanics, welders, and cooks. Management-level staff on oil and gas industry rigs include tool pushers, who work in the rig office, and offshore installation managers, whose duties involve overseeing the entire rig operation. Geologists who work on an oil rig collect samples during operations, otherwise known as “mud logging.”

The qualifications and skills that you need to work on an oil rig depend on the type of position that you would like to pursue. Deckhands, sometimes called roustabouts, perform jobs on the platform. A deckhand position requires a high school diploma or GED certificate and on-the-job training. Geologists, or mud loggers, need at least a bachelor’s degree in geology. Many oil rig jobs allow you to start in an entry-level position and obtain certifications as you gain experience and skills. Most tool pushers, for example, begin their career as roustabouts. Drillers need safety certifications and often launch their careers as assistant drillers. All crew must also pass offshore medical exams.